There are plenty of misconceptions about working in senior care that have led many to look at the industry negatively. This is particularly due to what is portrayed by the media, which is only a one-sided highlight that overlooks the bigger picture of the positive effects that senior care workers have on the elderly they care for.
Many people choose not to go into senior care due to some of the common myths about the practice. For instance, most imagine nursing homes as sad and lonely places to work and live in, while the truth is, these Care homes offer stable, caring habitats for the elderly who find it challenging to live on their own. Let’s take a look at the said misconceptions and see if we can clear them up. Of course, you would need to be a positive person that likes to chit-chat with people, as you will have a lot to hear and learn from the seniors, and Lecturio is a great source of information on what degree and licenses you need to become a registered nurse. Here we are going to debunk the myths on working in senior care:
Myth 1: Working as a Caregiver Does Not Open Any Opportunities for Career Advancement
This is false since there is plenty of room for promotion for workers in care who display the right attitude and resilience. For instance, most of the senior care workers that hold senior positions began their careers at entry-level and worked hard to get to the top. Through further training, you can facilitate your career progression; improving your qualification will enable you to advance into bigger roles and responsibilities of your interest.
Myth 2: Working as a Caregiver is Solely About Taking Care of Bedridden Sickly Seniors
Senior care is a wide field that involves much more than just personal care; other aspects of senior care include Rehabilitation, Mental health support, and Activities Coordination. There are people who require help with accident recovery or support in moving to and from work; there are plenty of options to choose from when it comes to caregiving.
Myth 3: Social Care Work is Tedious and Emotionally Draining
Social workers may sometimes feel overwhelmed and emotionally depleted from always taking care of other people’s needs first before their own. For this reason, employers tend to ensure that there are protective measures laid down for the wellbeing of their staff.
More and more employers are embracing technological innovations that help make day-to-day operations easier for their employees. For example, utilizing care management software for health homes can help enhance accuracy while reducing the time spent by care personnel on tasks such as billing or monitoring a patient’s needs and progress.
Also, there are forums and meetings set up after workers’ shifts that enable them to connect and share as well as air out their issues and shed light on situations they may not be comfortable with. This allows employers to deal with situations that may prove challenging to some employees. This way, the mental health and wellbeing of staff are taken care of, which helps deter employees from stressing themselves out.
Myth 4: Social Care Work Pays Poorly
Although workers in Social Care may appear to be paid relatively low wages compared to workers in other sectors, this usually isn’t the case.
Most employers offer their social care staff a significant amount of minimum wage, with some organizations paying an above-average competitive salary, in addition to paid training. Workers who are willing to improve their Social Care qualifications are able to move up from the roles they started on to higher positions and higher incomes.
Myth 5: Senior Care Means Only Working in Nursing Homes
A caregiver can help subjects in the comfort of the patient’s home and is not necessarily required to work in a nursing home. There’s the option of in-home care where you can visit a patient from time to time, ensuring you have time for other patients and spare time for personal activities. You can also offer live-in care by staying with your patient and offering care day and night. You can choose whichever method that works for you best.
Wrapping It Up
What motivates a worker is the amount of satisfaction they can get from the job they do. Working in an industry that is bent on providing care and comfort to those who truly need it can be rewarding to those dedicated to such practices. All you need is the drive to make a difference and touch people’s lives, and having a positive attitude while at it.
